Oklahoma Senate Leader Reacts to Mullin Appointment

Pro Tem Paxton shares surprise over sudden announcement on News 4 morning show

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton joined the News 4 morning team in Oklahoma City to discuss his reaction to the surprise announcement of Sen. Markwayne Mullin's recent appointment. Paxton expressed surprise at the timing of the Thursday announcement, but noted that such surprises are common in politics.

Why it matters

Mullin's appointment is a significant political development in Oklahoma, as the state Senate leadership provides crucial oversight and guidance on legislative priorities. Paxton's comments offer insight into how state lawmakers are processing this unexpected news.

The details

During the interview, Paxton said he was caught off guard by the timing of the announcement regarding Mullin's appointment, but acknowledged that sudden changes are common in the political sphere. He did not provide additional details on the reasons behind Mullin's appointment or the Senate's plans moving forward.

  • The announcement of Sen. Markwayne Mullin's appointment was made on Thursday.

The players

Lonnie Paxton

The Senate President Pro Tem of Oklahoma, a key leadership position in the state legislature.

Markwayne Mullin

The Oklahoma state senator whose recent appointment was the subject of Paxton's comments.

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What they’re saying

“I was surprised that the Thursday announcement came, but that surprises like Thursday are often...”

— Lonnie Paxton, Senate President Pro Tem (KFOR News 4)

The takeaway

The sudden nature of Sen. Mullin's appointment has caught the state Senate leadership off guard, underscoring the dynamic and unpredictable nature of Oklahoma politics. Paxton's comments suggest the Senate will need to quickly adapt to this development and determine how to move forward effectively.